The Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) has successfully conducted an online examination to recruit 150 candidates for the Assistant Manager Grade ‘A’ position. You must be very curious about the questions asked in the exam, the difficulty level and the expected cut-offs. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed & topic-wise analysis for each section in both the examination slots. We will also look at the expected overall and sectional cut-offs for this exam.

Exam analysis :

The online exam is divided into two parts, which are as follows:

1. Objective Test:

This is a 2-hour test comprised of 200 questions, spread across 5 sections. The sections are as follows:

Reasoning aptitude :

Total Marks: 50

Topic                          No. of questions

Syllogism                               05

Arrangements                       05

Puzzle                                     10

Input-Output                           05

Logical Reasoning                  10

Inequality                                05

Coding decoding                   05

Miscellaneous                         05

The difficulty level of this section was easy to moderate. There was a single set of questions based on seating arrangement of about 8 people sitting in a circle while facing the centre. There were 2 sets of puzzles worth 10 marks in total. The sets/ puzzles were not very simple and were time-consuming. Further, questions based on inequality , coding decoding , syllogism & logical reasoning were quite easy to solve. Questions based on Input-output & miscellaneous topics were of moderate level and quite time consuming. 

ii) Quantitative Aptitude

Total marks: 50

Topic                               No. of questions

Data Interpretation                    10

DI Caselet                                  05

Number series                           05

Data sufficiency                         05

Approximation                            05

Miscellaneous                            20 

The difficulty level of this section was moderate. Total 10 questions out of 50 were asked on data interpretation in 2 sets. Out of these two sets, one was based on line graph whereas other set was based on pie chart. There were total 5 questions of moderate level based on DI Caselet. Questions based on Number series, data sufficiency and approximation were of easy to moderate level. There were around 20 questions asked from different topics such as simple interest, age, boat & stream, percentage, profit & loss, mixture & allegations.

iii) English language

Total marks : 40

Topic                                No. of questions

Fill in the blanks                          05

Para Jumbles                               05

Cloze Test                                    10

Reading Comprehension            10

Sentence Improvement               10

The difficulty level of this section was easy to moderate. This year’s RC was of moderate level.  It was based on ‘Hitachi’s growth and the issues being faced by the company. A large number of questions were asked on vocabulary such as cloze test, fill in the blanks & antonym-synonym from RC. Questions based on sentence improvement were quite easy and quick to solve. The set of questions based on para jumbles were of moderate level and was time taking. 

iv) General awareness :

Total marks : 40

In this section, questions based on current affairs and banking awareness were asked. The current affairs questions were based on last 3-6 months current affairs news. The difficulty level of this section was moderate to tough. Many students have indicated that this section was the toughest one compared to all other sections.

v) Computer awareness :

Total : 20 marks

This section was the easiest among all the sections. Questions were based on basic computer operations and topics like computer basics, hardware & software, operating systems, MS Word & Excel, short cuts, Internet, abbreviations, etc. As per the exam experience of many candidates, this section could fetch around 14-15 marks out of 20 marks in total. 

As we have analysed each section topic-wise along with their level of difficulty, let’s now look at the expected overall and sectional cut-offs for this exam.

Online descriptive test :

This test has two sections worth 50 marks and has to be solved within 45 minutes. 

i) Essay : 

These are the essay topics asked in exam :

a) Virtual Learning is the need of an hour. (Morning shift)

b)  Micro finance as a tool for poverty alleviation. (Morning shift)

c) What is a need of retaining an employee in corporate world? (Morning shift)

d)  Benefits of net neutrality (Evening shift)

e) Why smart phones are smarter (Evening shift)

f) Reservations should be on basis of gender or racism? (Evening shift)

ii) Letter writing :

a) Write a letter to a bank’s branch manager to complain about rude behaviour of bank employee. (morning shift)

b) Write a letter to consumer forum to request them to expedite redressal for a digital camera you have ordered online. (Morning shift)

c) Write a letter to National Highway Authority of India about improper use of fund for National highway. (Evening shift)

d) Write a letter to an owner of furniture shop asking for catalog and pricing list to renovate your office. (Evening shift)

Overall Cut-offs:

Category                Cut-off Marks

General                           120+

OBC                               112-114

SC                                    105

ST                                     95

Sectional Cut-offs: (SIDBI Officers in Grade ‘A’ 2014)

Section                                 General              OBC/SC/ST 

Quantitative aptitude                08                         05

Reasoning                                  13                          09

English language                       12                          08

General Awareness                   13                          10

Computer awareness                11                          09

Sectional cutoff of General awareness section for this year’s exam might drop by 2-3 marks as this year’s General awareness section was quite tough. Other than this, this year’s sectional cutoff might be comparable to the cutoffs of SIDBI Officers in Grade ‘A’ 2014 exam.

Ideal score in Descriptive test : Candidates should obtain for at least 25-30 marks (to be on safe side) in  online descriptive test. 

Ideal number of Attempts:

Let us now consider the minimum number of questions that candidates should have attempted to secure their chances of clearing SIDBI Officers in Grade ‘A’ 2016 written exam and get selected for interview-round. 

If you need to score 120 marks, out of 200 questions, you should attempt at least 150 -155 questions with 80% accuracy (to be on the safe side). Candidates from other categories can accordingly calculate the required number of attempts. 

So, we can conclude that the difficulty level of this exam was easy to moderate. However, you should be confident that your hard work and practice will surely pay off.

Best of Luck!!!

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